Initiatives

 

Bio/Renewable Energy

Currently there is an estimated $2B industries untapped in the bio/renewable energy and local foods industries. Our region has the 5 key infrastructures in place to support natural and sustainable rural development: physical, financial, human, technical and governmental. Funding for asset mapping and feasibility model to be used by small businesses within the region.

Integrated BioEnergy at UWP Riverlands, presented by Chris Baxter.

Riverlands Biomass, presented by David Lyons.

Biomass Power Plant, presented by John Cox.

 

Buyer Supplier

Buyer Supplier is a web based program for businesses that connects both buyers and sellers in Eastern Iowa to promote and facilitate regional purchasing. The program can identify opportunities for others to purchase your products while supplying you with information about products made in the region.

The network helps you make connections with buyers and sellers in the counties of Allamakee, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Howard, Jackson, Jones, Winneshiek, and the cities of DeWitt, Marion, and Springville.

Get started today by browsing or signing up!

Buyer Supplier Presentation, presented by Candace Eudaley.

 

Regional Food Systems

The goal of this facility is to create local food processing prototypes that serve as a working laboratories for innovating food processing at mid-tier levels. The goal is to create a facility that is profitable and can be replicated throughout our region.

This facility will serve multiple purposes:

• The business plan for this facility is designed to make a profit
• The process for creating facilities like this is designed to be replicated throughout the Riverlands region
• The financial controls are designed to be as transparent as possible to all stakeholders and that ownership can be sold into local control
• The marketing plan is designed to fit into a self-supporting regional hub and spoke system for food processing and distribution

The potential for prototyping new approaches to food processing in small rural communities will energize the economy of local growers and the communities these facilities support.

Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness, presented by Teresa Wiemerslage.

Riverlands Regional Food System Platforms, presented by Rick Terrien.